Clay's hibiscus or Kokiʻo ʻula

Plant Botanical Name:

Hibiscus clayi

USBG Plant Location:

Conservatory

Conservatory Room Location:

Hawaii

Plant Threat Level:

Endangered

Known as Koki`o `ula in Hawaii, Hibiscus clayi is an endangered tree endemic to the dry forests in the Nounou Mountains on the island of Kaui. Today, in large part due to livestock grazing, development and invasive plants there is only one naturally occurring population with only four individual plants. Because of habitat protection efforts and the propagation by botanic gardens, such as National Tropical Botanic Gardens, there is a slow increase in the numbers of plants found in forest preserves. Private landowners and public land managers also are working to carefully manage use of these threatened habitats.